K-16 work causing commuter delays

Regular commuters of Kansas Highway 16 can still expect construction delays until the end of the summer as Kansas Department of Transportation crews continue their resurfacing projects.

Crews began resurfacing the highway between U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 24-40 on July 5. The construction work, which has a total price tag of $1.77 million, also includes resurfacing a section of Kansas Highway 192 between U.S. 59 and the Leavenworth County line.

KDOT officials said the highways have been restricted to one lane, so drivers should expect some minor delays. KDOT also urges commuters to use alternate routes around the construction whenever possible.

McLouth Mayor Mike Graveman learned his lesson about taking alternate routes quickly the first day he got stuck in traffic.

Graveman, who works at Magnatech Engineering in Tonganoxie, uses K-16 almost on a daily basis.

"It's been really inconvenient when a 10-minute commute turns into a 45-minute commute. I've been taking gravel roads and any back roads so I can avoid that," Graveman said.

Mike Yanez, Tonganoxie city administrator, said the city hasn't really been affected by the construction and he hasn't heard any complaints about it at City Hall.

"I saw it on our KDOT calendar about a year ago,"

Yanez said. "We're glad KDOT is putting money into that road."

Until the construction is complete, KDOT Spokesperson Kimberly Qualls said motorists should be alert and watch out for the construction workers and pilot car directing and guiding traffic through the construction zones. Drivers in work zones, she added, should always obey speed limits, especially when workers are present.